Baby Not Walking Yet? Here's What's Normal, What's Not, and What to Do

Published: January 2025 | Last Updated: March 2026 | By Adel Galal, ParntHub.com

If your baby is not walking yet and every other parent seems to have a toddler sprinting laps around the living room, take a breath. You are not alone - and in most cases, there is nothing wrong.

Walking is one of the most variable milestones in all early childhood development. The age range is genuinely wide, the causes of delay are mostly harmless, and most late walkers catch up completely with no intervention at all.

That said, a baby not walking can sometimes signal something worth looking into - and knowing the difference between "give it another month" and "call your doctor now" is exactly what this article is for.

Quick answer - Most babies walk between 9 and 15 months independently. The CDC's updated 2022 guidelines set 18 months as the age at which independent walking should be present. A baby not walking by 18 months should be evaluated by a pediatrician. Most late walkers are healthy, but some causes do need early support.

What Is the Normal Age for a Baby to Start Walking?

Before you worry, let's get the numbers straight — because there is a lot of confusion here.

“Babies typically start walking on their own sometime between 10 and 18 months of age. Some walk as early as 9 months; others do not walk until 17 or 18 months - and both ends of that range are well within normal development, according to the CDC's updated developmental milestone guidelines (2022).

CDC revised the walking milestone from 12 months to 18 months in their 2022 update -reflecting the reality that independent walking is expected of at least 75% of children by that age, based on current data, developmental resources and clinician experience.

This is an important distinction. "Expected by 18 months" does not mean your baby is delayed if they are not walking at 12 months. It means if they are not walking for 18 months, that is the point when a pediatrician should be informed so they can assess what is going on.

Here is a clearer breakdown, as described by pediatric physiotherapists:

Source: Mind Motion Centers, citing pediatric PT perspective on CDC 2022 milestone update

Signs Your Baby Is on Track Even If They Are Not Walking Yet

A baby not walking at 14 or 15 months is not automatically cause for concern - especially if they are hitting the stages that come before independent walking.

Here is what healthy pre-walking development looks like:

• Pulling up to stand using furniture, your hands or anything nearby - typically between 9 and 12 months
• Cruising - moving sideways along furniture while holding on -typically between 10 and 13 months
• Standing alone for a few seconds without support — typically between 10 and 14 months
• Bending and squatting - lowering themselves from standing to reach a toy on the floor and getting back up

If your baby is not walking independently but is confidently doing these things, their body is building toward it. The steps are there. The leap has not happened yet.

As pediatric physiotherapist Anne-Marie Hamilton explains via Parents Canada, many babies simply lack the opportunity to start walking. Give them more floor time, reduce time in carriers or strollers, and create space for movement - that alone is often enough.

The Most Common Reasons a Baby Is Not Walking Yet

1. They Just Need More Time - and More Opportunity

This stands out as the leading cause by a wide margin. Some babies are cautious by nature. They are not taking those first steps until they feel completely ready - and "ready" in their mind means near-zero risk of falling.

Pediatrician Dr. Lemay explains that babies with a laid-back temperament tend to be late in crawling and walking - they are content looking around and playing rather than moving, while more impulsive babies will start to go early.

If your baby seems physically capable - strong legs, pulling up confidently, cruising well -but simply will not let go, temperament is likely the main factor. Not a delay. Just a personality.

2. Too Much Time in Carriers, Bouncers or Strollers

Babies are not given enough opportunities to practice their motor skills, such as playing on the floor, and may experience a delay in walking. Babies must not be kept in strollers or baby chairs for extended periods and should be given plenty of opportunities to move, explore and play.

This is one of the most easily corrected causes of a baby not walking on time. More supervised floor time, less time in baby seats. It really can be that straightforward.

3. Family History of Late Walking

Common causes of delayed motor milestones include hereditary family traits - for example, the parents were late walkers. These babies often shuffle bottom rather than crawl.

If either parent began walking later in childhood, their baby may follow the same pattern. This is not a disease but a maturational delay because of genetic or familial influence, and there should not be any unnecessary concern, particularly if they started walking by age 2.

If you or your partner were both late walkers, mention that to your pediatrician at the check-up. It is important context.

4. Bottom Shuffling Instead of Crawling

Some babies skip crawling entirely and instead shuffle around on their bottoms. Bottom shufflers are a well-recognized group in developmental pediatrics, and they almost always walk later than babies who crawl.

Bottom shuffling and a family history of late walking were both found in half of the idiopathic (no identifiable cause) late walkers in the largest study on the topic.

Bottom shufflers are very efficient at getting around on their bottoms, which reduces their motivation to stand and walk. They will get there. They just need extra time and encouragement to get upright.

5. Prematurity

Babies born 37 weeks often reach milestones later than full-term babies -and walking is one of them. When assessing a premature baby's development, pediatricians always use the baby's adjusted age (calculated from the original due date, not the birth date) rather than chronological age.

Babies born prematurely are likely to display some developmental delay. It is best to use their adjusted age when tracking development.

So, if your baby was born 8 weeks early and is not walking at 16 months, their adjusted age is closer to 14 months - well within the normal range.

6. Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)

Low muscle tone — called hypotonia — is one of the more common medical reasons for a baby not walking on schedule. Babies with hypotonia have less tension in their muscles at rest, which makes weight-bearing, balance and the effort of walking harder.

Hypotonia is a major cause of walking delay in infants. Walking delays are also a sign of mild cerebral palsy.

The Cleveland Clinic describes hypotonia as present at birth, with babies sometimes described as "floppy" - having difficulty holding their head up, controlling their limbs, or sitting unsupported. If this sounds familiar, speak to your pediatrician for a proper assessment.

7. Hip and Joint Issues - Including Developmental Hip Dysplasia

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition where the hip joint does not develop correctly. It can make standing and walking uncomfortable or mechanically difficult, and it is one cause pediatricians check for in late walkers.

Hypermobility and developmental hip dysplasia may be associated with delayed walking, alongside spina bifida and lysosomal storage disorders.

Most cases of DDH are picked up in newborn hip screening, but milder cases can sometimes go undetected until walking age.

8. Neurological Conditions

Some neurological conditions affect the brain signals that coordinate movement — including mild forms of cerebral palsy, which the Patient.info clinical guide notes affects about 1 in 500 children. In milder cases, delayed walking may be the first or only obvious sign.

Certain neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome, may delay walking. Picking up on these cues early helps address the underlying problem and start treatment early.

This is one reason not walking by 18 months warrants a proper assessment rather than a "wait and see" approach - early diagnosis of neurological conditions enables early intervention, which consistently produces better outcomes.

Red Flags - When a Baby Not Walking Needs Prompt Attention

Most late walkers are healthy. But certain signs alongside delayed walking need a pediatrician's review without waiting for the 18-month mark.

Contact your doctor if your baby is not walking and you notice any of the following:

• Not standing with support by 12 months - this is a clear developmental checkpoint that warrants attention
• Not walking at all by 18 months - this is the CDC threshold for assessment
• Asymmetry in movement - one leg dragging, one foot turning in, noticeably stronger on one side - asymmetry in new walkers is a red flag for neurological involvement
• Persistent toe-walking after the first few months of walking - occasional toe-walking is normal in new walkers; toe-walking as a consistent primary gait past age 2 is not
• Regression - your baby was pulling up or cruising and has stopped. Losing previously acquired skills is always a reason to call your doctor promptly.
• Signs of hypotonia - the baby feels unusually limp or floppy, struggles to hold their head up, or has difficulty sitting without support
• Delay across multiple areas - if your baby is also significantly behind in speech, fine motor skills or social interaction, alongside not walking, a full developmental assessment is needed
• Pain or distress when weight-bearing or when you try to stand them up

Walking is classified as delayed if a child hasn’t started by 18 months. If walking seems to be the only significant delay, referral to a community pediatrician or a pediatric physiotherapist may be appropriate for detailed assessment.

Early Intervention services are available in most countries - including the UK, US, Canada and Australia - and can connect your baby with pediatric physiotherapy, often at no cost. In many areas, you can self-refer directly with no need for a GP referral first. Early support, even for benign delays, consistently produces better outcomes.

What You Can Do to Help a Baby Who Is Not Walking Yet

If your baby is not walking but you are not yet at the point of seeking medical review, there is plenty you can do at home to encourage progress.

Give More Floor Time

Put your baby on the floor more and in baby seats less. Movement on the floor builds every muscle and coordination skill that walking needs.

Create a Cruising Circuit

Arrange two pieces of furniture with a small gap between them. Put a favourite toy on the far piece. The motivation to cross the gap — with a brief, unsupported moment in between - is where first steps come from.

Place Toys at Standing Height

When your baby is pulled up against the sofa, place a toy on the cushion. They must reach it while standing - then lower themselves and get back up. That squat-to-stand movement is exactly the muscle work walking requires. As physiotherapist Anne-Marie Hamilton explains, repetition builds the leg strength needed to walk.

Reduce Footwear Indoors

Barefoot walking on safe surfaces is genuinely better for walking development. The nerve endings in the soles of the feet send proprioceptive feedback to the brain that helps coordinate balance - feedback that shoes block. Save shoes for outdoors.

Use Push Toys

Push toys - the kind a baby walks behind - are excellent for building walking confidence. They encourage upright posture and the weight-shifting motion that walking requires. An empty laundry basket or cardboard box works just as well as anything from a toy shop.

Never Use Sit-in Baby Walkers

If you have a sit-in ring baby walker - the kind your baby sits inside and scoots - put it away. The AAP has formally called for a ban on them because they delay walking development and send thousands of babies to the hospital every year. They keep babies in a seated hip-flexed position that does not replicate walking mechanics and does not build walking muscles.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Here is a simple, clear guide -

Dr. Lemay advises that a baby not walking at 18 months should be followed closely, and by 20 months, he would recommend further investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions - Baby Not Walking

My baby has not been walking for 15 months. Should I be worried?

Not necessarily. If your baby is pulling up, cruising along furniture, and standing briefly alone, their development is on track — the independent step just has not happened yet. Give more floor time, create a cruising circuit, and monitor closely. If they are still not walking at 18 months, speak to your pediatrician.

What is the latest age a baby can start walking and still be considered normal?

According to the CDC's updated 2022 guidelines, walking independently by 18 months is the expected milestone for 75% of children. Most pediatricians will begin assessment at 18 months if walking has not started. Some babies who walk between 16 and 18 months are entirely healthy late walkers with no underlying cause.

What causes a baby to be a late walker?

The most common causes are temperament, lack of opportunity for floor time, family history of late walking, and bottom shuffling rather than crawling. Medical causes include low muscle tone (hypotonia), prematurity, hip dysplasia, and neurological conditions. Most late walkers have no underlying medical cause.

Can too much time in a baby walker delay walking?

Yes. Sit-in baby walkers — the ring-shaped kind — actively delay walking development. They hold babies in an unnatural position and do not build the muscles or balance needed for real walking. They are also responsible for thousands of pediatric injuries every year. The AAP has formally called for a ban on them.

Is bottom shuffling a sign that my baby won't walk on time?

Bottom shuffling is strongly associated with late walking. Bottom shufflers are very efficient at getting around without standing, which reduces their motivation to get upright. They nearly always walk eventually, but typically later than crawlers. Monitor and encourage standing activities.

What if my baby were premature and is not walking yet?

Always use your baby's adjusted age — calculated from the original due date, not the birth date. A baby born 8 weeks early who is 16 months old has an adjusted age closer to 14 months. Discuss this with your pediatrician and use adjusted age as the benchmark, not chronological age.

My baby was walking and has now stopped. What should I do?

Contact your pediatrician promptly. Losing a previously acquired skill — called developmental regression — is always a reason to seek medical input, regardless of the child's age or the skill involved.

What does hypotonia look like in a baby who isn't walking? 

Babies with hypotonia often feel unusually limp or floppy when held. They may have difficulty holding their heads up, sitting without support, or bearing weight on their legs. If your baby shows these signs alongside not walking, speak to your pediatrician — hypotonia is treatable with the right physiotherapy and early intervention.

Conclusion

A baby not walking is one of the most common sources of parental anxiety in the first two years of life. It is also, in most cases, completely unfounded.

The range of normal is genuinely wide. Temperament plays a real role. Opportunity matters enormously. Family history explains a significant number of late walkers. And many babies who are not walking at 14 or 15 months are doing exactly what their bodies need to do - building up to it in their own time.

What matters is not the exact age your baby starts walking - it is whether the building blocks are there, whether the trajectory is moving forward, and whether any red flags are present alongside the delay.

Give your baby floor time, encourage cruising, ditch the baby walker, and trust the process. But if your baby is not walking by 18 months, do not wait — speak to your pediatrician so they can check everything is on track.

Sources and References

1.    CDC Developmental Milestones - 2022 Updated Guidelines: cdc.gov/act-early/milestones

2.    Patient.info - Late Walking in Children (Delay in Walking), peer-reviewed clinical guide: patient.info

3.    Medicine Net - What Causes Delayed Walking in Babies?: medicinenet.com

4.    Cleveland Clinic -  Hypotonia in Babies: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment: my.clevelandclinic.org

5.    Parents Canada -  How to Tell If a Late Walker Is a Cause for Concern (Dr. Lemay, Anne-Marie Hamilton, pediatric PT): parentscanada.com

6.    Child Healthy UK -  Reasons for Late Walking in Babies (Private Pediatrician): childhealthy.co.uk

7.    PMC / BMJ - Assessing Developmental Delay, evidence-based review: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

8.    FDNA - What Are the Reasons for Late Walking in Babies?: fdna.com

For a full breakdown of what your baby should be doing month by month, read our Baby Milestones Month by Month guide. If you want practical steps to help your baby walk, our Best Way to Teach Baby to Walk guide covers every stage from tummy time to first steps. For the full picture of your baby's first year, visit our Baby Care Guide.